PhD Candidate
Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences
2424 Main Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z4, CANADA
Email: rgermain <AT> interchange.ubc.ca
My research interests lie in understanding the factors influencing reproductive success, particularly in songbirds. Work for my PhD focuses on the effects of individual female variation versus habitat quality on measures of fitness in the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) population of Mandarte Island, BC. Current projects include determining the specific reproductive benefits that high quality habitats may confer to their occupants, and how individual females may vary in their ability to capitalize on these benefits.
My previous research focused on the mate-attraction signals of American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla). Work for my MSc included testing for delayed song maturation in yearling male redstarts, and characterizing the degree of ‘adult-like’ plumage and song in both age classes as they relate to reproductive success. I have also investigated plumage ornamentation and winter territory quality of yearling males in Jamaica, and adult plumage colouration as a signal of parental quality of males in Ontario.
